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UFC Freedom 250 Launches Weekend of Weigh-Ins and Fan Fest Ahead of White House Show
UFC Freedom 250 has kicked off its weekend celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary with official weigh‑ins and a fan‑focused event in Washington, D.C. The organization began the day with the official weigh‑ins for all fighters, followed by a ceremonial weigh‑in on Saturday evening at The Ellipse, a park near the White House. The ceremony is part of a larger two‑day fan fest that also includes live shows, celebrity appearances, and a Monster Energy‑sponsored concert.
The main event of the card is the Lightweight Title Bout, featuring undefeated champion Ilia Topuria of Georgia and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje of the United States. Both fighters weighed in at exactly 155 pounds, the limit for the division, and the bout is scheduled for five rounds. The co‑main event is the Interim Heavyweight Title Bout, in which Brazilian kick‑boxer Alex Pereira weighed in at 251 pounds and French fighter Ciryl Gane at 248 pounds. That fight will also run five rounds, while all other bouts on the card are set for three rounds.
Other official weigh‑in results include the Bantamweight Bout, where American Sean O’Malley came in at 135.5 pounds and Canadian Aiemann Zahabi at 135 pounds; the Heavyweight Bout, with American Josh Hokit at 231 pounds and Derrick Lewis at 256 pounds; the Lightweight Bout, where Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy weighed in at 155 pounds and his opponent, American Michael Chandler, weighed in at 156 pounds; the Middleweight Bout, with both Americans Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus at 186 pounds; and the Featherweight Bout, where American Steve Garcia and Brazilian Diego Lopes both weighed in at 146 pounds. Lopes also weighed in a second time as a backup for the lightweight championship main event.
The two‑day UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest opened in the afternoon at The Ellipse. The UFC website described the event as an opportunity for fans to experience immersive activities, see live performances from UFC athletes, meet celebrities, and enjoy exclusive on‑stage moments. While the fan fest is free, tickets are required, and those who purchase tickets also receive access to the ceremonial weigh‑in.
Later in the evening, fans will also be treated to a Monster Energy‑sponsored concert featuring country singer Zac Brown. Brown is scheduled to perform his own concert at the ceremonial weigh‑in and will sing the National Anthem at the event tomorrow, accompanied by the Marine Corps band. In a statement shared on social media, Brown said, ‘This is patriotism, not politics for me,’ in response to criticism over his decision to perform at the White House event.
UFC Freedom 250 is part of the broader 250th‑anniversary celebrations that include a historic event on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14. The event, described by the UFC as a once‑in‑a‑generation celebration of American fighting spirit, will feature the same fight card that was previewed during the weekend weigh‑ins. The UFC, which has been a major global mixed‑martial‑arts promotion since its founding in 1993, has partnered with the White House to bring the sport to a national audience during a milestone in American history.
At this point, the official weigh‑in results have been released, the fan fest is underway, and the ceremonial weigh‑in has concluded. The main event and co‑main event are scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House. Fans who attended the fan fest can expect to see the fighters in action, while those who did not will be able to watch the event live on television and through the UFC’s streaming partners. The UFC has not yet announced any changes to the fight card, and no injuries or withdrawals have been reported. The organization will continue to provide updates as the event approaches.
The main event of the card is the Lightweight Title Bout, featuring undefeated champion Ilia Topuria of Georgia and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje of the United States. Both fighters weighed in at exactly 155 pounds, the limit for the division, and the bout is scheduled for five rounds. The co‑main event is the Interim Heavyweight Title Bout, in which Brazilian kick‑boxer Alex Pereira weighed in at 251 pounds and French fighter Ciryl Gane at 248 pounds. That fight will also run five rounds, while all other bouts on the card are set for three rounds.
Other official weigh‑in results include the Bantamweight Bout, where American Sean O’Malley came in at 135.5 pounds and Canadian Aiemann Zahabi at 135 pounds; the Heavyweight Bout, with American Josh Hokit at 231 pounds and Derrick Lewis at 256 pounds; the Lightweight Bout, where Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy weighed in at 155 pounds and his opponent, American Michael Chandler, weighed in at 156 pounds; the Middleweight Bout, with both Americans Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus at 186 pounds; and the Featherweight Bout, where American Steve Garcia and Brazilian Diego Lopes both weighed in at 146 pounds. Lopes also weighed in a second time as a backup for the lightweight championship main event.
The two‑day UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest opened in the afternoon at The Ellipse. The UFC website described the event as an opportunity for fans to experience immersive activities, see live performances from UFC athletes, meet celebrities, and enjoy exclusive on‑stage moments. While the fan fest is free, tickets are required, and those who purchase tickets also receive access to the ceremonial weigh‑in.
Later in the evening, fans will also be treated to a Monster Energy‑sponsored concert featuring country singer Zac Brown. Brown is scheduled to perform his own concert at the ceremonial weigh‑in and will sing the National Anthem at the event tomorrow, accompanied by the Marine Corps band. In a statement shared on social media, Brown said, ‘This is patriotism, not politics for me,’ in response to criticism over his decision to perform at the White House event.
UFC Freedom 250 is part of the broader 250th‑anniversary celebrations that include a historic event on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14. The event, described by the UFC as a once‑in‑a‑generation celebration of American fighting spirit, will feature the same fight card that was previewed during the weekend weigh‑ins. The UFC, which has been a major global mixed‑martial‑arts promotion since its founding in 1993, has partnered with the White House to bring the sport to a national audience during a milestone in American history.
At this point, the official weigh‑in results have been released, the fan fest is underway, and the ceremonial weigh‑in has concluded. The main event and co‑main event are scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 14, on the South Lawn of the White House. Fans who attended the fan fest can expect to see the fighters in action, while those who did not will be able to watch the event live on television and through the UFC’s streaming partners. The UFC has not yet announced any changes to the fight card, and no injuries or withdrawals have been reported. The organization will continue to provide updates as the event approaches.
